Description

Crown is one of the North Shore mountains that you can see from Vancouver on any clear day just a bit behind Grouse Mountain. It is just over 1500m and has great views of the city, and also overlooks the Capilano valley. It is mostly a hike on well marked trails, but also involves a bit of moderate scrambling near the summit.

My plan is to start from the Grouse parking lot but hike up to the backcountry by a bit of a circuitous route that takes us around the whole Grouse Mountain Resort area by taking the Baden Powell, Larsen, LGMH, and Erik the Red trail to gain the Dam Mtn. ridge behind Grouse. This is a much more interesting and less travelled route than hiking straight up the usual Grouse trails.

For the return trip we will hike back to Grouse and then we can enjoy a burger and beer on the Rusty Rail patio for those who want to. And then download via the gondola.

This will be a full day of hiking and mountaineering, not just a quick hike up Grouse, so plan accordingly with food, water and the usual gear you need for a long day in the mountains.

Rough Stats:

Distance: 14km

Elevation gain: 1800m

Elevation loss: 1000m

Required Experience and Fitness: We will travel at an easy to moderate pace (talking while hiking is good). We don’t have to go fast as we will have all day. But you should be confident that you can hike all day, including climbing at least 1800m. You should also be comfortable with some moderate scrambling and a bit of exposure if you want to reach the summit.

Requirements: Backpack with the 10 essentials, food, liquids, and clothing (for cool and hot weather) for a full day out. The forecast is for sunny warm weather so don’t forget sunscreen, sunglasses, a hat.

Suggested: hiking poles

Question for you – please answer in the “Message to Trip Organizer” box when you sign up:

1. What similar hikes have you done recently?
2. If none, then tell me a bit about what other things you have done recently to know that you are ready for this hike.

Logistics:

Meeting Time: 6:45am – we will start hiking at 7:00am

Meeting Point: Grouse Grind trailhead at Grouse Mountain Resorts parking lot

Car Pooling: Participants can arrange car pooling independently if desired.

Parking:

• Parking in the Grouse Mountain parking lot costs $8 per day unless you are a regular and have a parking pass
• You can park on the street (Nancy Greene Way) below Grouse for free and just walk a bit further
• Or you can take transit as the city buses go right to the Grouse parking lot.

Gondola download ticket – costs $20 if you purchase a ticket online and you can buy it on your phone right before you download.

Hiking down – if you don’t want to pay $20 or just want more exercise, you can also hike down the BCMC trail back to the parking lot, but I will be downloading.

List of Potential Hazards

Rockfall and Icefall

What are the Risks – Rockfall and icefall can be caused by natural forces or by people travelling through the terrain (e.g. climbing/scrambling/hiking)

Communication and Rescue

What are the Risks – Communication can be difficult and in the event of an accident, rescue and treatment may not be available. Adverse weather may also delay the arrival of treatment and transport out of the field. If an injury occurs in challenging terrain movement to an evacuation point may be slow.

Terrain

What are the Risks – Cornices | Crevasses | Trees, tree wells, and tree stumps | Cliffs | Creeks | Rocks and Boulders | Holes and depressions below the snow surface | Variable and difficult snow conditions |Snowcat roads and road ranks | Fences and other man-made structures | Impact or collision with other persons, vehicles or objects | Encounters with domestic or wild animals | Loss of balance or control | Becoming lost or separated from the group | Slips, trips, and falls|

General Hazards

What are the Risks – Slips trips and falls indoor or outdoor | Equipment failure | Infectious disease contracted through viruses, bacteria, parasites, and fungi which may be transmitted through direct or indirect contact | Negligence of other persons, including other guests | Negligent first aid | Including failure to take reasonable steps to safeguard or protect you from, or warn you of risk, dangers, hazards, on participating in ACC activities |

Falls and Belaying

What are the Risks – Mountaineering and ice climbing present the risk of falling from the wall causing the climber to collide with the wall or ground which can lead to injury or death | The risk of a belay failure is also present which can contribute to a ground fall |